Mazda3, the fourth generation passes to the hybrid and becomes autonomous

At the Los Angeles Auto Show, the last big event of the year for auto shows, the Mazda3 presents itself fourth generation. After being previewed by teasers in recent weeks, the compact officially shows a stylistic line similar to Concept Kai, the prototype of the future key presented at the Tokyo Motor Show 2017. The model will be marketed in all world markets since the beginning of 2019.

"The new Mazda3 we unveiled today marks the beginning of a new era for Mazda"he says Akira Marumoto, Representative, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mazda. "The new generation of Mazda cars will enhance the value of the experience of car ownership." With our products, we will further strengthen Mazda's value and pursue our goal of creating an even stronger connection with our customers around the world. whole ".

The new Mazda3 introduces series production i new stylistic canons of Kodo design, with fluid proportions, an elongated bonnet, a raked pbadenger compartment that includes a sharply tilted rear window, in addition to conical optical groups that blend into the grille. Overall, the car is simple and uniquely shaped. Light waves give vitality to the design thanks to the movements of light and reflections.

Made on the basis of the new SkyActiv-Vehicle Architecture, the fourth generation is 4,459 mm long, 1,797 mm wide and 1,440 mm high, with a no 2,725 mm. Compared to the outgoing generation, the new improved road behavior in the fundamental phases of acceleration, curve and braking, and also reached new levels of torsional rigidity, also improving acoustic comfort thanks to new solutions, such as double wall structure leaving a gap between the interior trim and the body. The trim includes a MacPherson strut at the front and a torsion bar at the back.

The new Mazda3 is updated not only in the aesthetics and components, but also in the interior. The interior has been designed according to the principles of Jinba-ittai, perfect harmony between man and machine. In fact, Japanese engineers have redesigned the badpit to improve visibility and safety. Inside there is theMZD Connect with 8-inch screen for infotainment control, manageable by means of a rotary selector placed in the central tunnel. The news, in addition to the minimalist approach, concerns the instruction manual included in the system and option Bose sound system with 12 speakers.

In terms of security, the fourth generation adopts the main functions of the package. i-ACTIVSENSE, from automatic emergency braking to Driver monitoring system, which monitors the driver (eye movements, eyelid opening, eye lash frequency and lip and head angle) using an infrared camera and LED sensor. Also available Cruise & Traffic Assistance, an autonomous driving function that combines adaptive cruise control with the track maintenance system, driver badistance, and steering, throttle and brake control.

The engine range includes four different units on the price list. It starts with gasoline 1.5 and 2.0 liters of SkyActiv-G, updated to further reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, in addition to the turbodiesel 1.8 liters of SkyActiv-D, which can all be combined with 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions, front-wheel drive or i-Activ AWD with electronic torque distribution between the two axles (probably only available for the 1.8 SkyActiv-D). However, the main novelty concerns the landing ofhybrid in the range, with the motor SKYACTIV-X with HCCI technology (the world's first gasoline using the compression ignition method), flanked by Hybrid system M, responsible for reducing consumption and emissions.